Obama, lawmakers see centennial as chance to boost parks

Philadelphia’s Independence Hall was refurbished as part of a spending push around the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service. A smaller push is expected for the 100th anniversary.

Philadelphia’s Independence Hall was refurbished as part of a spending push around the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service. A smaller push is expected for the 100th anniversary.

Photo: Matt Rourke, Associated Press

Photo: Matt Rourke, Associated Press

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Philadelphia’s Independence Hall was refurbished as part of a spending push around the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service. A smaller push is expected for the 100th anniversary.

Philadelphia’s Independence Hall was refurbished as part of a spending push around the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service. A smaller push is expected for the 100th anniversary.

Photo: Matt Rourke, Associated Press

Obama, lawmakers see centennial as chance to boost parks

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WASHINGTON — Under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the nation prepared for the 50th birthday of the National Park Service with a spending splurge that refurbished Independence Hall in Philadelphia and helped complete the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. Next year, the world-famous system turns 100 and the celebration will be far more modest.

The Obama administration and Republican lawmakers have vastly different ideas about what to do.

Both parties agree that the country’s national parks and historic sites could use some sprucing up. Their shared goal is to use the centennial to improve trails, visitor centers, campgrounds and other park features that need maintenance work.

The question is how much of a dent Congress will make in a system-wide maintenance backlog with an estimated $11.5 billion price tag.

President Obama has recommended spending an additional $1.5 billion on the parks over a three-year period. Republican leaders in Congress have a smaller birthday present in mind.

Just the fact they are open to greater investment, though, is being viewed as a promising first step by some Democrats.

Areas of agreement include lifting the price of the $10 lifetime park pass for seniors to $80 and enacting a lodging tax for those who stay overnight, though how much and whether it should apply to campers as well as hotel guests, will have to be worked out in the months ahead.

Complaints about the backlog extend decades. For instance, President George W. Bush noted during a 2001 speech at Everglades National Park that “many parks lack the resources they need for basic care and maintenance.” He promised to restore and renew America’s national parks. At the time, the maintenance backlog stood at about $5.5 billion. The Sept. 11 terror attacks would soon upend the nation’s spending priorities though.